• An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

  • What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
  • By: Chris Hadfield
  • Narrated by: Chris Hadfield
  • Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,873 ratings)

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An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth  By  cover art

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

By: Chris Hadfield
Narrated by: Chris Hadfield
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Publisher's summary

Travel to space and back with astronaut Chris Hadfield's "enthralling" bestseller as your eye-opening guide (Slate).

Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, and been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft. The secret to Col. Hadfield's success—and survival—is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst—and enjoy every moment of it.

In An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, Col. Hadfield takes listeners deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible. Through eye-opening, entertaining stories filled with the adrenaline of launch, the mesmerizing wonder of spacewalks, and the measured, calm responses mandated by crises, he explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement—and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: don't visualize success, do care what others think, and always sweat the small stuff.

You might never be able to build a robot, pilot a spacecraft, make a music video or perform basic surgery in zero gravity like Col. Hadfield. But his vivid and refreshing insights will teach you how to think like an astronaut, and will change, completely, the way you view life on Earth—especially your own.

"Hadfield proves himself to be not only a fierce explorer of the universe, but also a deeply thoughtful explorer of the human condition."—Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Chris Hadfield (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

A Slate Staff Pick for Best Books 2013

"A very human glance into a rarified world.... The vacuum of space is unforgiving and brutal. Life on earth isn't easy, either. Mr. Hadfield has genuinely and refreshingly increased our understanding of how to thrive in both places."—The Wall Street Journal

"Hadfield is a genius, a man of science and technology and no first-timer to the universe."—New York Post
"A satisfying behind-the-scenes look at the life of an astronaut.... A page-turning memoir of life as a decorated astronaut."—Kirkus Reviews

What listeners say about An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth

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great chance to see behind the scenes

Even though there were some slow or dry parts, this audiobook made my commutes to work enjoyable. I loved finding out what it’s like to be an astronaut directly from an astronaut. His advice is kind of common sense but his stories are often inspiring and amusing.

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more more more please!

amazing for us avgeeks who dream to do, but never will. love this book to the ISS

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Good book

This isn't the normal type of book I listen to but it was suggested to me and I really enjoyed it. Wanted to keep listening and learning Chris's life lessons and of course more about space and being an astronaut.

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Interesting and informative

I enjoyed this book. Very interesting to get an insider's perspective on being an astronaut, and the journey to get there. The lessons learned and shared were most valuable to me. Thanks, Chris!

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Wonderful Insight to what it’s like being an Astronaut

As someone who grew up interested in the space program this was an enjoyable audiobook. It was interesting to get inside the head of an astronaut and listen to what life is like getting to space and afterward. Chris Hadfield is a very personable narrator and I truly enjoyed benefiting from his knowledge and life experiences. The listen was very fun! I and my family are now proud Chris Hadfield fans ;)

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  • V
  • 06-30-20

Very cool story from an astronaut

I didnt really go in thinking much, was wildly surprised to get a nice story about space, family and the work that goes into both.

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  • AL
  • 04-12-19

Best Book Ever

I have always loved space and this book is full of fun facts. It is the best book ive ever had read to me (I have around 23 books) and I just love it. Chris Hadfield is an amazing astronaut and musician. His voice is also southing and helps me relax at the end of each day.

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This book was one of the best books I’ve ever read!

It gave me a life changing perspective of what true success is. Not only was it impressive with details of many aspects of what it is like to be in space but the perspective that comes with it was not only inspirational that motivational. Thank God Chris Hadfield wrote this book. I am truly grateful for it.

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a heartwarming, insightful, and inspiring book

a heartwarming, insightful, and inspiring book. wish I read it sooner. Chris gives a lot of no nonsense lessons and a great perspective that helps the reader gain insight into what's important and how to go about dealing with goals and problems

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An Astronaut’ s Guide to Life on Earth

Remarkable, fascinating history,
He is a poet, s scientist, a proffer,
an artist, great father and husband.
A Great Soul. This book is so inspiring
You feel you are there living every single
Experience. His commitment to make
difference and educates us about space
Is superb. This book deserve Nobel Price!
The exploration to the last frontier Space is
brought back to Earth by Coronel Chris Hadfield.
I will love to see this book turned into a documentary of the life of great Space Travel!
He is a great VISIONARY.,, he knew since childhood the power Human Imagination.
Coronel Chris Hadfield is a VISIONARY that has transformed moments into History!
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Blanca Diez, MD

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